First lady to visit school affected by violence

[April 10, 2013]  CHICAGO (AP) -- First Lady Michelle Obama is heading to Chicago to address a conference on gun violence and speak with students at a high school deeply affected by the bloodshed.

With Congress poised to begin debate Thursday on firearms restrictions, the White House is mounting a vigorous push for action this week.

President Barack Obama spoke Monday with families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, who have launched a lobbying campaign of their own. Vice President Joe Biden is also promoting the administration's plans this week.

Mrs. Obama's visit to Chicago on Wednesday includes a stop at Harper High School. Authorities say 29 current or former Harper students have been shot in the past year, eight of them fatally.

Obama will also attend a luncheon where she will speak about youth violence.

[Associated Press]

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